Fuck, you just brought it in that post. Well done.

Didn’t you watch the 2005 finals? Manu is way better than Tony!

When have we ever allowed stats to get in the way of our opinions?

I’m doing my part…

Once again, repeat the mantra in my brain…. Tony is a wonderful point guard, I like Tony Parker, pass the fucking ball, Tony, Tony Parker is an All-Star…..

I feel better.

Now, ATS, don’t get me wrong. You’re right: Manu isn’t playing as well as he can, or as we want him to. He says it himself, and we see it every night. What I do believe is that he’s not playing nearly as badly as you seem to think he is.

This is truly a post that Hollinger would love. I’m usually kidding when I say I choose gut-feelings over stats, but you have to admit that they don’t tell the whole tale. Knowing that he came back from an injury that ruined his playoffs last season, it seems only logical that, be it by Pop’s design or by his own choice, he wouldn’t be so aggressive driving to the basket and getting fouls as he was last season. We’ve seen him (and from now on, “we” means “you and me, and talked about it in a game thread”) slowly change that, driving more and more to the basket. The 7 FTs he got against the Magic were his season high, and he did it a number of times already against the Lakers.

Why is his 3pt percentage so low? I don’t know, but it’ll come around. That’s the law of averages, my friend. I have no doubt in my mind. And why is he shooting it so much? Because he’s good at it! He had his best percentage last season, and he’s the same player. Let him clank those 3s during January, and he’ll be ready when things get tough.

In fact, I think his low 3pt percentage is the only thing keeping people in a “Manu’s not playing well” mood instead of a “Manu’s back” euphoria. Last season he shot 49.9% from 2, and so far this season he’s shooting 53.4%, his career best, I believe. TO, assists and rebounds per 48 minutes are pretty much the same. Again, he’s the same player.

There was one post I made where I compared Manu’s play to Timmy’s, and mentioned Finley making a bad play. You said that was a pretty weak way to excuse Manu’s faults – well, by showing us how great Tony is and then jawing Manu, you did exactly the same way. Was there any season in which Tony’s assist/TO ratio wasn’t higher than Manu’s? As far as I can tell, Manu’s and Tony’s roles in this team are different. Hell, Manu gets 2 TOs when he enter the arena, and it’s always been like that. And as far as I can tell, Manu is a SG and Tony’s a PG.

I love a lot of things about Tony’s game. His layups are incredible, and he can drive on anyone and penetrate any defense. His long jumper has been great and he’s even been clutch this year. Why do we complain so much about him? Well, for once he’s stubborn, and we often feel he does some stat-padding that’s annoying. Most of his assists are from passes to open shooters beyond the arc – I think we’ve seen Manu and Timmy P&R more than Tony and Timmy. Or at least it feels that way. And when we are in desperate need for a basket, Tony hardly ever does an original, unexpected pass down low – he either takes that long jumper after the screen, or kicks it out to Mason/Bonner for 3. It’s worked, but I for one get the feeling that it’s not a sound strategy come playoff time.

I’ll say it again: Tony’s one of the best PGs in this league. But when you see CP pass the ball with incredible skill for an alley oop in the final minute of the game, you start wondering if taking a long shot or passing the ball to Manu/Timmy and letting them create is everything there is.

I’m trying to put into words why I sometimes complain about Tony. Hopefully I didn’t come across as a basher, because I sincerely appreciate the lil’ Frenchman. His game just doesn’t excite me – except when he penetrates for a layup. But that has little to do with Manu’s game, and could’ve used another post.

Another thing: Hi! MANU WE LOVE YOU, KEEP COMING TO PTR!!!! WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU MORE OFTEN

(some Spurs players seriously check PTR)

I love Tony and I believe he is the best point guard for the Spurs. However, it appears to me that he has a tendency to wilt in the 4th quarter. He either forces the ball, forces the pass, or makes mental errors. He just seems really fatigued in the last quarter of our games.

Maybe it’s all those years of organized basketball? He’s been playing since he was what?… 14 years old?

It’s January guys… and we’re O.K.

Can we even say things like “ho’s” in fanpost titles?

Demeaning, ATS. Flat out demeaning.

but watching by your eyes and you can see the bad play that STAT never show.

They are all great players, but having a good night and bad night is just normal.
And by the way, who’s “HO’s”? Is it the term right to use on every PTR poster?

I dont think you look to yourself first before calling us “HO’s”..
Sorry for that, but your post title is a lil demeaning..

About your second big man (which I am 110% with you on) – from Marc Stein’s Daily Dime on ESPN this morning:

“Yet it’s no secret in NBA front-office circles that the Spurs, in spite of their limited trade assets, hope to acquire at least one more quality player before the Feb. 19 trade deadline. It would be tough, on this evidence, to dispute the theory that they’ll need another big man or another scoring threat to move into what Pop describes as the Lakers’ league.”

Warning: Content from Tony Parker apologist contained within….

I defend Tony on this site quite a bit and with good reason. I think he’s a top 5 NBA point guard. I can’t think of many other guys I’d take over him. To me, and I think this is the point of ATS’ post, it’s not about Tony vs. Manu. It’s about both guys needing to play well for us to win. And the Laker game is the perfect example of that. Gino led with 27, Timmeh had 20, and TP had 20. If all three of those guys get to 20, we’ve got a pretty good chance to win against ANYONE in the league, even the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs tier of teams, because we have a bench this season. Last season we did not (I count Manu as a starter even when he comes off the bench because he is always in at the end of games).

Manu was obviously not recovered earlier in the season and is just now getting into form. Last night, he looked more Manu-esque than at any time since early in the Suns series last season. The great thing about Tony’s game last night was he did what was needed. Manu was on, so they let him run. I was a little surprised to see at the end of the game that Tony had 20 points.

Anyway, it’s not about one versus the other, it’s the fact that we need 3 all-star caliber players hitting on all cylinders to have a shot at a chip this year. And better defense….